Arizona @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2011 ) Arizona 3, Colorado 8

THE STORY: Arizona looks to rebound from its second loss in two weeks when it finishes a three-game series at Colorado on Wednesday night. The Diamondbacks, who still enjoy a comfortable seven-game lead over San Francisco in the National League West, appeared poised to win for the 13th time in 14 games Tuesday before the Rockies scored seven two-out runs in the eighth inning to steal an 8-3 victory. Troy Tulowitzki keyed the rally with a three-run homer.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports (Arizona); ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (9-12, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Kevin Millwood (2-1, 3.34 ERA)

Saunders has shown signs of fading down the stretch, going 1-4 over his last six starts — but he did throw seven excellent innings (4 H, 1 R, 0 ER) in the lone victory, an Aug. 27 win over San Diego. In six lifetime starts against the Rockies, Saunders is 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA. He went eight innings for a win in his most recent trip to Colorado, allowing two runs on six hits. Rockies 2B Mark Ellis is 10-for-33 (.303) with two homers and five RBIs against Saunders.

Millwood has been surprisingly effective since coming back to the major leagues in early August, looking particularly sharp in his last outing (7 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K at San Diego on Sept. 2). The veteran righty hasn't faced Arizona in several years, but he boasts a 6-1 career mark with a 1.93 ERA against the Diamondbacks. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill has had the most success against Millwood, going 9-for-24 (.375) with a home run.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (81-61): Arizona's bullpen has been one of the strongest in baseball this season, but setup man David Hernandez (11 saves, 21 holds) imploded on Tuesday as the Diamondbacks failed to save a lead for just the 13th time in 62 chances. Closer J.J. Putz is perfect in his last 15 save opportunities and has yielded just one hit over his last eight appearances. He has given up just two runs in 14 2/3 innings since returning from the disabled list in late July.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (67-75): Colorado's offense, which ranks among the league leaders with 651 runs scored, exploded late against the Arizona bullpen Tuesday to propel the Rockies to their first win in the last seven meetings with the Diamondbacks. Tulowitzki, who hit a three-run homer for the second straight night, leads the Colorado lineup with a .304 average, 30 home runs and 103 runs batted in. RF Carlos Gonzalez (.299) has added 88 RBIs.

FINAL PITCH: The Diamondbacks are 0-4 in Saunders' last four starts when the team has lost its previous game.